The smaller rinks give an advantage to the US/Canada physical style of play with very large players. A larger rinks gives an advantage to the more European speed style of play with faster, perhaps more skilled players. The rinks are smaller in the US and Canada (NHL) so they can get more seats in the arenas.

The smaller rinks give an advantage to the US/Canada physical style of play with very large players. A larger rinks gives an advantage to the more European speed style of play with faster, perhaps more skilled players. The rinks are smaller in the US and Canada (NHL) so they can get more seats in the arenas.

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Hard to say more skilled when Canada constantly steps out onto the bigger ice and wins gold against the countries who usually play on the ice. I'd count being physical a skill wouldn't you?

A standard NHL rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide, with goal lines 11 feet from the end boards.International ice is 210 feet long and 98 feet wide.